Here is a “grandmother’s prophecies” card—dated 1944—from the New York City-based Mike Munves Corportation. “You will have a lot of money and life for you will be very sunny.” It rhymes! And I cam agree with that! But is there a dark lining to this money filled sun-cloud? Hmmm…

The rest of the card says I am serious and have no time to relax? Sounds like a Coen Brothers movie! I am very happy and miserable? Manic depressive? But this to me is the clincher: “Do not seek for new friends.” Not only is that an awkward sentence by modern standards, what kind of agoraphobic nonsense is that? That’s almost like the other card I posted that said one shouldn’t leave the home.  Seems like “grandmother” is a wee bit paranoid.

And one of my lucky numbers is 404? On the web a 404 error means a page cannot be found.  Doesn’t sound too “lucky” to me, “grandmother.” But then again, 404 is the area code of Atlanta, Georgia.  Maybe “grandmother” is dropping the hint I should head to Atlanta?

Here is a “grandmother’s prophecies” card—dated 1944—from the New York City-based Mike Munves Corportation. This card came out of a vending machine that most of us have seen either in person or on TV and film: Those machines with the torso of some “fortune teller” in it.  You tossed in a quarter, the “fortune teller” would come to life, say something while spooky canned must played and then a card was spit out with your fortune.  And this was one of them. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was introduced to this specific type of fortune at the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island.

I was actually kind of fascinated with the machine in Coney Island for years. I always fell for cool old machines like this. And I tried to collect some of these cards on my own, but the cards the machine spat out were clearly copies of copies.  These cards right here are the real deal.  And I’m happy to have finally scored them!

I like this fortune a lot.  Just check out the artwork. Some guy getting all excited at someone sticking mail into a mail box while his quizzical dog looks on.  The fortune is pretty good, but I’m not too sure I like the part that reads: “You will soon be offered an opportunity to travel. Refuse it.”  What kind of agoraphobic bullshit is that? But whatever. One marred line on a decent card.

Also notice the not so subtle hint “drop another coin in slot and I will tell more.” Yeah, right. Let me give you my whole paycheck you agoraphobic robotic muse!  Seriously, also check out the “lucky numbers.” There wasn’t any state lottery happening back then; those are some true numbers one should call their local respectable neighborhood bookie about!